During ground breaking ceremonies for a new College of South ern Utah science building that were held on August 1, 1960, Dr. Royden C. Braithwaite (Director of College of Southern Utah) read three telegrams that concerned the state's decision to build in Cedar City a Branch Normal School of the University of Utah:

He stated "Representative John Parry of Iron County went to the Deseret Telegraph Company, Salt Lake City, and arranged with the chief operator to send the following telegram:

"'Feb. 24, 1897. to Bishop Charles Adams, Parowan, President Uriah T. Jones, Cedar City, Utah. The State contemplates locating branch of University in southern part of State. What has Iron County got to offer? Signed John Parry, representative."'

The reply on Feb. 28, 1897 was "'To Hon. John Parry, Rep. If amount of contribution is the consideration in location of site for Branch school, sentiment of mass meeting held last night was to offer equal inducements to any other locality. The following is at your disposal: Temple Knoll, 6 acres within one quarter mile Main St. and eight thousand dollars in labor and material, more if necessary, and use of present ward building. Signed U. T. Jones."'

Third telegram dated May 19, 1897. "To John Parry: Unanimous vote in favor of Cedar for Normal School. Signed, Elias Morris."

Iron County Record. August 4, 1960), 1, as quoted in Generations of Websters, Amy L. Van Cott and Allen W. Leigh, Thomas Webster Family Organization, Cedar City, Utah, 1960, p. 273

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